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A tech I know uses a new set of gauges that can be used for 410 and r22.My question is can you use them from unit to unit without cleaning them out.I was wondering if oil residue from the different units would be enough to contaminate the units.I'm new to the field.I couldn't read the literature that came with the gauges because I didn't buy them, but I noticed he didn't either.

410A and R22 gauges

All I know is the 410A system uses POE and the R22 uses mineral oil. R22 is not compatible with POE and 410A is not compatible with mineral oil. For the cost of a set of gauges I don't know if it is worth the possible problems.

So, no, I don't see the practicality of trying to use the same gauges.

Re: 410A and R22 gauges

Originally posted by ruud-man All I know is the 410A system uses POE and the R22 uses mineral oil. R22 is not compatible with POE and 410A is not compatible with mineral oil. For the cost of a set of gauges I don't know if it is worth the possible problems.

So, no, I don't see the practicality of trying to use the same gauges.

Buy a second set...http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/images/icons/icon12.gif

The amount of oil in your gages is not measurable enough to make difference. It would be like 1 drop of water(or less) in 40 gallons of gasoline. Just my opinion.

Have you ever gone on a call, where some one has over charged a system by a couple of pounds. If so, when you removed the excess charge, you also pulled oil with it. How do you know you got enough of the oil out of yout manifold set, that you won't cross the oils when you go on a r410a call next.

R22 is more forgiving with moisture then R410a, so youo could be adding moisture also.

how about the one time you forget to dump the hoses before you connect them to another system. that would be about 4 oz af refrigerant being put into the system
wonder how 410a would react to that
and it should not happen but we all know it does
two sets are the best

I have a set of those gauges and asked the same question. I showed em to a co worker and he bought a set. He being more experienced than i in the field I asked him if he swaps gauges between 22 and 410. He said he doesn't worry about it.

What I've done is i have two sets of hoses that I swap back and forth. i work pretty much 70/30 between 22 and 410. The 22 being the majority. The gauges have a charging orifice that allows me to charge liquid on the lowside without slugging and it makes charging a system sooooo easy.